Thursday, November 19, 2009

When I was putting together our Halloween costumes, I didn't want to buy anything that wouldn't get used again. E's pith helmet will become his yard work hat, my stripes were just elasticized 'belts' of ribbon worn over a black t-shirt, and Cora's black onesie could be re-used since I just basted on her stripes and wings.

I had planned on appliqueing the front of the onesie (seen here with matching butterfly canvas), but when I removed the ribbon, I found a couple of spots where the wings had pulled holes in the back. I thought some butterfly wings would look cute on the back and would be a great way to save it. It was, by far, the hardest shape I've appliqued, but I like the straight stitch around the edge, and the natural fraying will cover any wonkiness.

Another happy accident. It made me think: Why aren't more baby clothes decorated on the back? With it being solid black, though, I'm wondering if it still needs a little something on the front.

Monday, November 16, 2009

I finished up two more bibs last week at our sewing day at Julie's house. I'm having so much fun with the applique, and I'm even thinking I need a shirt with something appliqued on the front!

Using a newer machine (thanks Michelle!) reminded me how smoothly sewing projects can go. Back on my [mom's] old machine yesterday, I considered going on a sewing strike until I get a new machine. But I'm the only one who would really miss it. And I'm the only one who needs convincing. Every time I complain to E that I need a new machine, he says, "OK." But I'm too cheap. Maybe for Christmas.

I wish I had gotten a better shot of the brown and orange side of this one--it's one of my favorite fabrics ever. It's from superbuzzy, a long time ago, and is the floor plan of a house, but with funny Japanese English misspellings, including a "gest room" and "marole" (marble?) in the kitchen. I love it!

Saturday, November 7, 2009

When I picked Cora up on Thursday, I was a little surprised and a little saddened by what I found: My baby had been moved to the older infants room. I knew it was coming, since she was 6 months last week and they were just waiting until a spot opened up for her. But still.

When I picked her up yesterday I was more surprised and more saddened by what I found. One of the workers, in their very best four-year-old handwriting, had written Cora's name on the front of my diaper bag in permanent marker. I bit my tongue and left without saying anything. After all, I don't need Cora's caregivers to hate me! But the wheels were already turning in my head, coming up with solutions in case it wouldn't come out. Luckily it did though, mostly, with shout and lots of elbow grease. So I came up with this removable tag: her name printed on print-n-press, then ironed on to 2 layers of fabric with some interfacing sandwiched between, zigzagged on the edges and attached with a safety pin.

My next project is a creative fix, too--part of Cora's Halloween costume re-incarnated.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

These pumpkin cookies with butterscotch chips are, like Joy the Baker said, are a-mazing. Well, I think so at least. I halved the recipe, which resulted in 11 giant cake-like portions. Next time I'll make the scoops half as big to make more smaller cookies. Yum.

Sunday, November 1, 2009

For the first time ever, I got started on Halloween costumes early enough this year. And it was a good thing since I had 3 to put together. Sadly, a nasty stomach bug prevented us from going anywhere fun in them. I did take Cora to see my parents and today we stopped by E's parents so that Cora could show them her costume.

I loved reading the guesses about our costumes. Curious George is a great idea. And Clue characters--funny because E was Colonel Mustard last year! Alicia was the closest, though. E is not in his full beekeeper attire, but you get the idea. I think we (E and me) might use these again next year!